Dyann99

I am looking at a 58 that was repaint to correct color code 252 regal
turquoise/white. The regal turquoise has metal flake in the paint.
Does any body know if there was metal flake in the paint The owner said that when they repainted the car he had them add a bigger flake to make it stand out more. Does this make a difference in correct color code. This is the link to the car. Do you think car is worth 70k.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-Chevrol...vip=true&rt=nc


Thanks Terry

68hemi

I can't comment on the color as I don't recall if they had metallic or not, I know the 57s did not.

As to the value I can tell you that I looked at every 58 I could find on line for over 3 weeks. I have owned two of hem in my lifetime and it was my first choice. I was shocked at the asking prices. In the past 58s were shunned as being over chromed and having the fake louvered hood and usually sold for a little less than 59 or 60s. Today they are tauting these things in their ads. I personally like those items. I ended up buying a 57 that was less money than like condition 58s. Look at the links below in the order I have them from top to bottom and it will make more since

Back to the subject car. Looks like a nice car with much done to it however MOST people looking for a car like this are looking for a little more on the original side. Likely it is not a numbers matching car as that is not mentioned in the ad. One top only--hardtops are running $5000. It has some custom items such is the seat covers, (weird color BTW) wrong shifter handle, carpeted trunk, no ignition shielding and custom wheels rather than the original spinner wheel covers. These things add up in cost.
$1500. seat covers, dash cover and basic door panels w/o metal plus shipping & install
$460. for 58 shifter plus shipping & install
$500. correct trunk material plus shipping
$600. ignition shielding plus shipping & install
$900. wheel covers plus shipping

The bottom line is I think the price is high by more than $20K.

Compare it to the on I bought 2 weeks ago in the pictures, description and price.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ired-57-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-the-57-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...he-57-3-a.html

Panama 58

Terry, the 58's (and 56,57,59,60...) did have metallic paint colors and finishes. They however were very fine metallic particles (almost like a metallic dust) versus flakes and actually appeared more like the metallics used on some of the cars today. Based on what you are saying the current owner said about the paint, it sounds like he used a much larger metallic flake to go along with his desire to differentiate his '58 from originals. Colors in these model years such as Aztec Copper, Arctic Blue, Silver Blue, Charcoal Gray, Silver, etc. were all of the "non-detectable" size of metallic flake.

BTW- I have judged several Regal Turquoise 58's over the years at Bloomington, NCRS and VetteFest, Triple Crown events, and unless the photo or my screen is doing this car a disservice, the paint color of the car is a shade or two lighter than originals. You can find original paint chip cards for your '58 on eBay for very little money. Find one, buy it, compare shade and metallic appearance and see for yourself. I am sure the car is attractive to many people, but your goal is to have or pursue an original car, you have much work to do with this one. Good luck.
Panama58

thoyer

Interesting that the ad says "restored to original condition".

Not much on that car resembles factory original condition - maybe the original condition he refers to is the way he originally got it.......

I agree that prices of 58 have gone up - just sold mine and was very happy with the deal.

Tom

thoyer

Matching numbers does not really come into play until 1960 when they started stamping the VIN on the engine and trans. Pre 1960 you need to look at casting dates to see how they align with the cars build date.

Tom

GTOguy

"Do you think the car is worth 70k." In a word, No. Those wheels and interior really hurt it, IMO.

68hemi

I will agree that matching numbers mean different things in different years. If you have a correct date coded engine that matches the build period of the car and the stamped number appears correct then you have a numbers matching engine/car. Can that without a doubt PROVE it is the engine it was born with? NO. But can anyone prove it is not? NO. Is the glass half empty or half full?

vettebuyer6369

I agree that different people have different definitions and will likely argue about it forever, but I do not believe numbers matching means different things in different years.

Numbers either match or they don't . Check out Mike Antonick's definition in the Black Book. Numbers match means the engine ViN matches the chassis VIN. In years previous to block VINs, they can't match, they can only be correct. The fact is if you find a correct block numbered car with an appropriate casting date and assembly code, that's the best you can do, but it sure isn't matching numbers.

vettebuyer6369

Vette60

Back to the question at hand, do I think that car is worth 70k? No. As others have mentioned, too much variance from what I would consider a desirable, "original condition" Vette. But, too each his own as far as the interior changes, wheels, and paint go.

You can go on forever about the whole numbers matching discussion and what exactly it does or does not mean.

Randy